VANCOUVER
(AP) - Jubilation in Vancouver today, as the city was awarded
it's second Weaverball franchise in the history of the league.
General Manager Cory Muzyka was on hand, in front of the sparkling
new Nat Bailey Stadium to shake hands with Vancouver Mayor
Philip Owen who officially welcomed the team.

"This
is a great victory for the city of Vancouver. We've been lobbying
to try and bring a baseball team to Vancouver since the Vancouver
Vipers left, and finally we have landed a team. It's a great
day for the city."

GM
Cory Muzyka was noticably pleased with the reception.

"What
can I say - what a reception", said Muzyka. "We're proud to
be here! We'd like to take this opportunity to thank both
the league and the city for the chance to move the team to
Vancouver. It's a great city and I'm looking forward to building
a winner here."

The
team also announced the new name for their franchise, as well
unveiling their mascot and new uniforms.

"Our
team will be called the Vancouver
Mounties", said Muzyka in a deliberate nod to the city's
baseball heritage. The first baseball team to play in the
city was named the Vancouver Mounties. "We'll be wearing red
and white uniforms, and our mascot will be Virgil the Beaver."

Virgil
ran out onto the stage to cheers from the assembled crowd.

"This
stadium, this city, this team - we are building for the future
and we are doing it in a city that loves it's baseball. It
will take us a few years, and sure it'll be tough for a while,
but in the end we'll build a winner for the city of Vancouver."

Virgil
the Beaver said it all, when he grabbed the microphone and
shouted "GO MOUNTIES!"